'We were ready' - Doncaster Rovers boss makes Sheffield Wednesday formation admission after Owls tweak
Sheffield Wednesday were beaten 2-0 by Doncaster Rovers at Club Doncaster Sports Village on Saturday afternoon.
Doncaster Rovers manager Grant McCann has admitted that he and his players had prepared for the possibility of Sheffield Wednesday changing formation ahead of Saturday’s 2-0 win at Club Doncaster Sports Village.
Wednesday boss Henrik Pedersen switched to a 3-5-2 formation for the trip along the M18 after recalling Liam Palmer and Max Lowe to the starting line-up. The duo lined up either side of Liam Cooper in the back three, with wing-backs Yan Valery and Kieran Morrison providing support.
However, following two goals from Owen Bailey inside the opening 16 minutes, Pedersen reverted to his more familiar 4-2-3-1 formation. This meant that Morrison, for example, switched from the left wing-back berth to the right wing. spot.
Doncaster dominated the first half, registering ten shots compared with Wednesday’s three. Had it not been for Owls shot-stopper Ashley Maynard-Brewer, Wednesday would have been even further behind at half-time.
Anticipating that Pedersen might alter his side’s formation in an attempt to spark a reaction following Tuesday night’s 2-0 defeat to Notts County, Rovers boss McCann admitted that he had left no stone unturned in his pre-match preparation, revaling that his players had prepared for the possibility of Wednesday using two different formations.
“I spoke before the game about derbies and local derbies, and you have to keep your emotions in check,” McCann told BBC Radio Sheffield. “You have to be ready for what's thrown against you.
“I think the most pleasing thing for me, really, was tactically I thought the team were spot on. We worked on Sheffield Wednesday playing two different shapes.
“We worked them (my players) on a 4-2-3-1, which they went to within 15 minutes of the game. We worked on a 3-5-2 yesterday in training, so we knew we were ready for whatever they threw at us today. I think that was key for us.”
Reflecting on his side’s overall performance, McCann added: “I thought it was a good performance. I'm really pleased with the lads in the first half.
“I thought we were aggressive and on the front foot against a good Sheffield Wednesday team, and I thought we were deserved winners.”